Bowling ball lock



p l 28,1964 R. A. NEUMANN 3,130,571

BOWLING BALL LOCK Filed May 19. 1960 mmvrm R. A. nsummu ATTORNEY UnitedStates Patent 3,130,571 BOWLING BALL LOCK Richard A. Neumann, S. 13thSt, East Moline, Ill. Filed May 19, 1960, Ser. No. 30,124 19 Claims.((11. 70-58) This invention relates to the use of a locking device for abowling ball which will prevent its use without the consent of theowner.

A bowling ball conventionally has three finger openings by which thebowler may grip the ball; one of these openings receives the thumb, andthe other two openings receive two fingers. There are, of course, othertypes of bowling balls in which only two openings are present, and thepresent invention could also be utilized with the latter.

Bowling, as it has become more and more popular, has reached the pointwhere many individual bowlers own their own balls, and indeed are veryreluctant to have the balls used by others, since once the bowler hasbecome accustomed to one ball he feels the mere use by others afiectshis own handling of the ball.

However, the very nature of the ball, due to its shape and weight makesit very difficult to carry or transport. Particularly in tournamentplay, a bowler will bowl a series of lines and there will follow a delaybefore his turn comes up again. The bowler dislikes leaving his ball ona rack, since others might use it or it might be temporarily lost whenit is his turn to bowl. Consequently, he is faced with the problem ofkeeping it with him or taking a chance on losing it either temporarilyor permanently.

With this in mind, it is the main purpose of this invention to provide alocking mechanism which includes a plug that may be inserted into one ofthe finger openings of a bowling ball, and which may be locked thereinso that the ball is useless until the plug is removed. By use of thelocking mechanism, herein to be described, the plug cannot be removedexcept through use of a key which the owner may keep in his possession.

Specifically, it is proposed to provide a plug assembly which has anouter plate which lies adjacent the surface of the ball and has a mainplug portion which is disposed in the finger opening. The plug portionis constructed to expand and contract relative to the walls of theopening and upon expansion will lock the plug portion against withdrawalfrom the ball. The expansion and contraction of the plug portion iscontrolled by a key which may be inserted to cause rotation of a part ofthe plug portion which in turn controls expansion and contraction of thewall-engaging part. Consequently, the key must be used to remove theplug from the ball.

It is also proposed as a further use of the before described plugassembly to use the latter for purpose of storage. It is contemplatedthat there could be provided a series of racks with plates which couldbe chained or otherwise fixed to a wall or other fixed member and theplugs could be inserted through the plates with the cap of the pluglying on the top of the plate. By tightening the plug in the ball, theplate would be clamped between the surface of the ball and the cap, andthe ball would be locked on the rack until the owner used the key toremove the plug.

These and other objects will become apparent to those skilled in the artas the invention is better understood from the following description andas shown in the accompanying drawings.

FIGURE 1 is a view showing a bowling ball with the plug inserted in thethumb opening as shown in dotted representation.

FIGURE 2 is an enlarged vertical sectional view taken ice through theplug and the surrounding portion of the bowling ball.

FIGURE 3 is a view similar to FIGURE 2 showing the plug in a lockedposition.

FIGURE 4 is a sectional view taken along the line 4'-4 of FIGURE 2.

FIGURE 5 is a sectional view taken along the line 55 of FIGURE 3.

FIGURE 6 is a view somewhat similar to FIGURE 1 showing a modified useof the invention.

FIGURE 7 is an enlarged sectional view of the outer portion of the plugand other locking mechanism.

Referring now to the drawings, a bowling ball 10 composed of hardrubber-metallic composition or similar conventional type material isprovided with conventional type finger openings, one of which isindicated by the cylindrical wall 11. The openings are all internally ofthe ball and maybe considered as extending radially inwardly from thesurface of the ball although it should be understood that the axis ofthe opening does not necessarily be directed toward the spherical centerof the ball. The plug herein to be described may be used in any of thefinger openings in a bowling ball, although it would probably beinserted in the finger opening in which the thumb is inserted.

The plug, here indicated in its entirety by the reference numeral 15, iscomposed of an annular cap 16 overlying the surface of the ball adjacentthe opening 11 with an outer annular edge 17 thereof turned to lie onthe surface of the ball 10. As may be readily apparent, the nature ofthe cap is such that it will be ditficult to pry under the cap withoutinjuring the ball. Integral with the cap is an annular and radiallyinwardly extending cup portion 18 which is disposed in the opening 11and is spaced from the walls of the opening. The inner end of the cupportion is provided with an abutment surface or wall 19 disposed =atright angles or normal to the wall of the opening 11.

A locking mechanism 29 is inserted in the opening of the cup portion 18.The locking mechanism includes a journal or casing 21 having an annularlip 22 which is received in an annular recess or shoulder portion 23 onthe outer surface of the cap 16. Frictional engagement between the lip22 and shoulder 23 will normally prevent relative rotation between thejournal member 21 and cap 15. Also, if desired, they may be fixed to oneanother to prevent relative rotation. The internal surface of thejournal 21 has diametnical oppositely disposed slots 24, 25.

As shown, the journal in efiect is a casing in which a key-receivingbarrel or shank portion, generally designated 39, is appropriatelymounted. The journal or casing 21 is a hollow unitary member having anenlarged upper cylindrical or top portion 22 from which extends aradially extending and reduced annulus 31 which has the oppositelydisposed slots 24, 25.

The outer lip 22 and annulus 31 are rigid with one another and form ashoulder 32 in which an overhanging part or lip 33 of the barrel 35) isseated.

According to the invention the barrel 3% constitutes a radially disposedshank portion received in the casing or journal 24 which under certainconditions may be rotated in the journal 20. The barrel or shank portion3%) includes in radially inwardly relation to one another the previouslymentioned overhanging part 33, an intermediate cylindrical reduced partas and a still further reduced cylindrical part or stem 35. The stem 35has an internal tapped cylindrical wall 36.

The barrel or shank portion Si) is provided with a radially disposedopening 37 for receiving a key 38 and is further provided with severalsuperposed pairs of alined channels 3% and 49, each alined pair beingadapted to receive a plate tumbler broadly denoted at 41. In

the present instance five plate tumblers 41 and their respectivechannels 39, 4- have been provided.

Each tumbler 41 is in the form of a plate having a central opening 42through which passes the shank of the key 38 and an abutment 43 which byaction of a spring 44 normally maintains or biases the respective platetumbler so that its end rests in one of the slots 24, 25 so as toprevent the shank portion 31) from rotating in the casing or journal 21.However, mere insertion of the key 28 will operate to compress therespective springs 44 to free the barrel for rotation. Conversely, thekey 38 cannot be removed until one of the slots 24, 25 is in position toreceive the tumbler plates 41.

Threadedly received in the stem or small cylindrical portion 35 is ashank of a screw 50, the head 51 of which fits internally of a plate orwall 52 which is disposed normal to the wall of the opening 11. Theabutment wall 19 has an opening therein through which the stem 35 willextend and is in opposed relation to the wall 52.

A ring 55 of plastic rubber or similar contractable and expandablematerial is positioned between the outer surface of the plate 52 and theabutment wall 19 and is disposed closely although slightly spacedlyinternally of the wall of the opening 11, the latter, of course,assuming the plug is disposed in a non-locked position.

Referring first to the operation of the plug as shown in FIGURES 1through 5, to lock the plug 15 in the opening 11, the plug 15 isinserted in the opening 11 in its radially extended position, i.e., withthe screw threaded to an extended position whereby little or no pressureor compression is applied on the rubber ring or collar 55 by the plate52. The cap it; is placed to lie on the surface of the ball or as shownin FIGURES 1, 2 and 3. The key 38 is inserted in the barrel 3% so as tounlock the barrel for rotation in the casing or journal 21. The key isthen turned to retract the screw 5%) in the stem 35 whereupon the rubbercollar 55 is compressed in a radial direction while at the same time isexpanded in a direction normal to the wall of the opening 11. The keymay be turned sufficiently to apply a large frictional engaging forcebetween the outer surface of the collar 55 and the wall of the opening11 as substantially shown in FIG- URE 3. At this time the plug cannot beremoved from the ball. The key 38 is removed and the ball remains lockedagainst use. By reinserting the key 33 the plug may be adjusted toextend the spacing between the walls or plates 19, 52 to therebydisengage the collar 55 with the wall of the opening 11 and the plug maythen be removed.

In the form of the invention shown in FIGURES 6 and 7, the locking plugis used to lock the ball in a stored condition. In this form, a chain 61is fixed to a wall 60. The ball will rest in a conventional type rack asindicated at 62. On the end of the chain 61 is provided a circular plate63 which is dished to lie on the surface of the ball 14 The plate 63 isprovided with an opening 64 for receiving the plug 15. The cap 16 willnormally rest on the outer surface of the plate 63.

As is rather obvious from viewing FIGURES 6 and 7, by inserting the plugand locking the plug in the ball as previously described, the plate 63will be clamped between the cap 16 and the surface of the ball 10. Theball may be left in a stored position on a rack and there will be nofear of its being stolen or accidentally used so long as the owner hasremoved and has possession of the key.

While only one modification of the invention has been shown, it shouldbe recognized that other forms, variations, and modifications will occurto those skilled in the art. Therefore, it should be understood that thepresent detailed description was given for the purpose of concisely andcompletely illustrating the principles of the invention, and it was notthe intention to limit or narrow the invention beyond the broad conceptherein claimed.

What is claimed is:

1. A plug adapted to close the finger opening in a bowling ballcomprising: a cap formed to and adapted to lie adjacent the surface ofthe ball beyond the outer edge of the finger opening; a journalsupported by the cap extending into the opening with the outer surfacethereof spacedly from the walls of the opening; a first shank membercarried in said journal for rotation relative thereto and having aninner threaded end projecting inwardly of the journal; means selectivelylocking the shank member against relative rotation to the journal; asecond shank member radially co-extensive and threadedly attached to thethreaded end of the first shank member, said shank members beingextensible and retractable upon relative rotation; a wall memberdisposed nor mally to the wall of the opening on the inner end of thesecond shank member; a ring disposed in the space between the journaland wall of the opening and extending from the inner surface of the capto an inner annular-end; and an annular flexible member surrounding theshank members with its outer surface adaptable for contact with the wallof the opening and extending between the annular end and the wall memberand expandable and contractable normally to the wall of the opening uponretraction and extension respectively of the shank members.

2. A plug adapted to close the finger opening in a bowling ballcomprising: a cap adapted to lie adjacent the surface of the ball beyondthe annular edge of the finger opening; a journal supported by the capextending into the opening; a first shank member carried in said journalfor rotation relative thereto and having an inner threaded endprojecting inwardly of the journal; means selectively locking the shankmember against relative rotation to the journal; a second shank memberradially co-extensive and threadedly attached to the threaded end of thefirst shank member, said shank members being extensible and retractableupon relative rotation; first and second wall members disposed normallyto the wall of the opening with the first of the wall members on theinner end of the second shank member and the second of the wall membersbeing rigid with the cap; and an annular fiexible member surrounding theshank members between the first and second wall members with its outersurface adaptable for contact with the Wall of the opening andexpandable and contractable normally to the wall of the opening uponretraction and extension respectively of the shank members.

3. A plug adapted to close the opening in a bowling ball comprising: acap adapted to lie adjacent the surface of the ball beyond the annularedge of the finger opening; a locking mechanism supported by the cap anddisposed in the opening and including a shank member parallel to theaxis of the opening; a second shank member coextensive with the firstshank member and extensible and retractable with the first shank memberupon relative rotation; a pair of spaced apart wall members disposednormally to the wall of the opening with one of the wall members on thesecond shank member and the other of the wall members being held againstmovement; and an annular flexible member surrounding the shank membersbetween the wall members with its outer surface adaptable for contactwith the wall of the opening and expandable and contractable normally tothe wall of the opening upon retraction and extension respectively ofthe shank members.

4. A plug adapted to close the finger opening in a bowling ballcomprising: a cap adapted to lie adjacent the surface of the ball aboutthe finger opening; a first shank member extending axially in respect tothe finger opening supported by the cap and extending into the openingand having an inner threaded end; means selectively locking the shankmember against rotation relative to the cap; a second shank memberco-extensive and threadedly attached to the threaded end of the firstshank member, said shank members being extensible and retractableaxially upon relative rotation; a pair of wall members disposed normalto the wall of the opening and being structurally related to the shankmembers to move toward or away from one another upon retraction orextension respectively of the shank members; and an annular flexiblemember surrounding the shank members with its outer surface adaptablefor contact with the Wall of the opening and disposed between the Wallmembers, said flexible member being expandable and contractable normallyin response to axial movement of the shank members.

5. A plug adapted to close the finger opening in a bowling ballcomprising: a cap adapted to lie adjacent the surface of the ball and atleast partially over the finger opening; a first shank member supportedby the cap and extending into the opening and having an inner threadedend; means selectively locking the shank member against rotationrelative to the cap; a second shank member axially co-extensive andthreadedly attached to the threaded end of the first shank member, saidshank members being-extensible and retractable axially upon relativerotation; axially spaced wall members disposed normal to the wall of theopening and being connected to the shank members to move toward and awayfrom one another in response to retraction or extension of the shankmembers; and an annular flexible member surrounding the shank membersand disposed between the wall members with its outer surface adaptablefor contact with the wall of the opening, said flexible member beingexpandable and contractable toward or away from the wall of the openingin response to axial movement of the shank members.

6. A plug adapted to close the finger opening in a bowling ballcomprising: a cap adapted to lie adjacent the surface of the ball and atleast partially over the finger opening; shank means rotatably supportedby the cap and extending into the opening; axially spaced wall means inthe opening and disposed normal to the wall of the opening, said wallmeans being operatively connected to the shank means to move toward andaway from one another in response to rotation of the shank means; meansselectively locking the shank means against rotation relative to thecap; and an annular flexible member surrounding the shank means with itsouter surface adaptable for contact with the wall of the opening anddisposed between the wall means whereby said flexible member will expandand contract toward and away from the wall of the opening in response torotation of the shank means.

7. A plug adapted to close the finger opening in a bowling ballcomprising: a cap adapted to lie adjacent the surface of the ball and atleast partially over the finger opening; shank means rotatably supportedby the cap and extending into the opening; spaced apart wall meansdisposed normal to the wall of the opening, said wall means beingoperatively connected to the shank means to move toward and away fromone another in response to rotation of the shank means; an annularflexible member surrounding the shank means and between the wall meanswith its outer surface adaptable for contact with the wall of theopening whereby said flexible member will expand and contract relativeto the wall of the opening in response to rotation of the shank means;and means selectively locking the shank means and cap against relativemovement.

8. A plug adapted to close the finger opening in a bowling ballcomprising: a cap adapted to lie adjacent the surface of the ball and atleast partially over the finger opening; shank means rotatably supportedby the cap and extending into the opening; and wall engaging means onthe shank means adaptable for contact with the Wall of the opening, saidlatter means being operatively connected to the shank means to expandand contract toward and away from the wall of the opening in respond torotation of the shank means; and means selectively locking the shankmeans and cap against relative rotation.

9. A locking device for a bowling ball having finger openingscomprising: a plate having a shank opening and adaptable for externalsupport; a cap adapted to lie adjacent the surface of the plate and atleast partially over the shank opening; shank means rotatably supportedby the cap and extending through the shank opening and into one of thefinger openings of the ball whereby the plate will be retained betweenthe cap and the surface of the ball; wall engaging means on the shankmeans adaptable for contact with the wall of the finger opening, saidlatter means being expandable and contractable normally relative to thewall of the finger opening in response to rotation of the shank means;and externally controllable locking means for preventing rotationbetween the cap and shank means.

10. A plug adapted to close the finger opening in a bowling ballcomprising: a surface plate extending beyond the outer edges of theopening and lying closely adjacent the surface of the ball; a plugassembly connected to the plate disposed in the opening, said plugassembly having expandable and contractable portions adapted to contactthe wall surface of the opening upon expansion, said plug assemblyfurther having portions extensible and retractable lengthwise of theopening; means connecting the latter portions with the former portionsto efiect expansion and contraction of said former portions in responseto extension and retraction of said latter portions; and key-operatedlocking means externally controlled relative to the plate selectivelyeffecting extension and retraction of said latter portions.

11. A plug adapted to close the finger opening in a bowling ballcomprising: a surface plate extending beyond the outer edges of theopening and lying closely adjacent the surface of the ball; a plugassembly connected to the plate and disposed in the opening, said plugassembly having expandable and contractable portions thereof and adaptedto contact the wall surface of the opening upon expansion, said plugassembly further having portions extensible and retractable relative tothe axis of the opening; means connecting the latter portions with theformer portions whereby radial expansion and contraction will occur inresponse to extension and retraction of said latter portions; andkey-operated locking means externally controlled relative to the plateportion selectively effecting extension and retraction of said latterportions.

12. A plug adapted to close the finger opening in a bowling ballcomprising: a surface plate covering the opening and extending beyondthe outer edges of the opening and lying closely adjacent the surface ofthe ball; a plug assembly connected to the plate disposed in the openinghaving expandable and contractable portions thereof and adapted tocontact the wall surface of the opening upon expansion, said plugassembly further having a portion rotatably supported on said surfaceplate; means connecting the latter portion with the former portionswhereby radial expansion and contraction will occur in response torotation of said latter portion; and lock means preventing rotation ofsaid latter portion.

13. A plug assembly insertable in the finger opening of a bowling ballcomprising: a casing disposed in the opening adjacent the outer surfaceof the ball; a structure carried by said casing internally of theopening for rotation relative thereto; a collar of resilient materialsupported on the structure to expand and contract relative to the wallof the opening in response to rotation of the structure and to contactthe wall upon expansion; and lock means between the casing and structurepreventing rotation of the latter.

14. A plug assembly insentable in the finger opening of a bowling ballcomprising: a casing disposed in the opening adjacent the outer surfaceof the ball; a structure carried by said casing internally of theopening for rotation relative thereto; a wall-engaging member supportedon the structure and responsive to rotation of the structure to expandand contract relative to the wall of the opening and to contact the wallupon expansion; and lock means between the casing and structurepreventing rotation of the latter.

'15. A method of preventing use of a bowling ball comprising: insertinga plug in the finger opening of the ball; expanding the plug to contactthe wall of the finger opening; and locking the plug againstcontraction.

16. The invention defined in claim 15 further characterized by placing aplate with -a plug opening against the surface of the ball; insertingthe plug through the opening in the plate; and providing a connectionbetween the plug and plate to hold the plate on the surface of the ball.

17. The invention defined in claim 16 further characterized byconnecting the plate to an external object Whereby the ball will berestricted against movement away from the object.

18. A method of locking a bowling ball against use comprising: insertingthe stem portion of a mushroom shaped plug into a finger opening untilthe head of the plug lies on the surface of the bowling ball; expandingthe stem portion toward the wall of the opening until the surfacethereof frictionally engages the wall of the opening, and contractingthe stern portion lengthwise of the opening whereby upon contact of thesurface with the 8 wall the contraction will tighten the head againstthe ball surface; and locking the stem portion against both expansionand contraction.

19. A method of locking a bowling ball against use comprising: placing aplate with an opening on the surface of the ball with the opening inregistry a finger opening, inserting the stern portion of a mushroomshaped plug through the plate opening and into the finger opening untilthe heat of the plug lies on the surface of the plate; expanding thestem portion toward the wall of the finger opening until the surfacethereof frictional'ly engages the Wall of the finger opening, andcontracting the stem portion lengthwise of the opening whereby uponcontact of the surface with the wall the contraction will tighten thehead against the plate; locking the stem portion against both expansionand contraction, and anchoring the plate to a fixed object.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS112,029 Gates Feb. 21, 1871 188,625 Hand Mar. 20, 1877 972,853 Hamb-ryet al Oct. 18, 1910 1,025,724 Snyder May 7, 1912 1,186,912 Klein June13, 1916 2,155,491 Jacobs Apr. 25, 1939 FOREIGN PATENTS 857,721 GermanyDec. 1, 1952 577,310 Canada June 9, 1959

12. A PLUG ADAPTED TO CLOSE THE FINGER OPENING IN A BOWLING BALLCOMPRISING: A SURFACE PLATE COVERING THE OPENING AND EXTENDING BEYONDTHE OUTER EDGES OF THE OPENING AND LYING CLOSELY ADJACENT THE SURFACE OFTHE BALL; A PLUG ASSEMBLY CONNECTED TO THE PLATE DISPOSED IN THE OPENINGHAVING EXPANDABLE AND CONTRACTABLE PORTIONS THEREOF AND ADAPTED TOCONTACT THE WALL SURFACE OF THE OPENING UPON EXPANSION, SAID PLUGASSEMBLY FURTHER HAVING A PORTION ROTATABLY SUPPORTED ON SAID SURFACEPLATE; MEANS CONNECTING THE LATTER PORTION WITH THE FORMER PORTIONSWHEREBY RADIAL EXPANSION AND CONTRACTION WILL OCCUR IN RESPONSE TOROTATION OF SAID LATTER PORTION; AND LOCK MEANS PREVENTING ROTATION OFSAID LATTER PORTION.